How to use せめて (せめて)
Meaning of せめて
The Japanese verb "せめて" (せめて, semete) can have various meanings depending on the context in which it is used. Here's a list of its primary meanings along with examples:
- at least: This usage implies a minimum requirement or expectation.
- Example: せめて一つは成功させたい。
- Translation: I want to succeed in at least one thing.
- if only: Expresses a wish or desire for something that is unlikely to happen.
- Example: せめてあの時、もっと頑張っていれば…
- Translation: If only I had tried harder back then...
- for the time being: Used to indicate a temporary or provisional action or state.
- Example: せめて今は、静かにしておこう。
- Translation: For the time being, let's keep quiet.
Learn せめて from Animes
ショウ･タッカーだな？
You're Shou Tucker, aren't you?
（タッカー） 誰だ？ 軍の者… ではない な！
(Tucker) Who are you? Not military, are you?
どうやって入ってきた 表に憲兵がいたはず だ
How did you get in? There should be guards outside.
神の道に背きし錬金術師
Alchemist who turned his back on the path of God,
（タッカー）うぐっ
(Tucker) Ugh
滅ぶべし
you must perish.
（タッカー）ううっ…
(Tucker) Ugh...
（合成獣）おとうさん…
(Chimera) Father...
おとうさん おとうさん…
Father, father...
哀れな この姿になってしまっては 元に 戻る方法はない
It's a pity. Now that you've become this form, there's no way to return.
👉👉せめて 安らかに逝くがよい
May you at least you pass peacefully.
ただい…
Just wait...
エドワード･エルリック…
Edward Elric...
ぎゃああああっ！
Gyaah!
母親を生き返らせようとした むくな愛…
Trying to resurrect their mother with a misguided love...
己の命を捨てる覚悟で 弟の魂を錬成した すさまじき愛！
With a resolve to sacrifice his own life, he performed the terrible alchemy of his brother's soul!
思い出の詰まった 生家を燃やして退路を 断つ…
By burning down the house full of memories, he cut off all paths of retreat...
鬼気迫る決意！
A terrifying resolve!
👉👉せめて 我が抱擁を！
At least let me embrace you!
（エドワード） 寄るなあっ 暑苦しい！ やめろーっ！
(Edward) Stay away, it's suffocating! Stop it!
師匠なら 何か知ってるかもしれない
Our teacher might know something.
もう なりふり構ってらんねえや
There's no more time for formalities
師匠にぶっ殺される覚悟で聞いて！
I'll ask and be prepared to be killed by her!
うっ 聞いて 聞いて…
Ahh... Ask, ask...
短い人生だったな
It's been a short life, hasn't it?
👉👉（アルフォンス） せめて 彼女だけでも 作っておきたかったよ
(Alphonse) I wanted to at least have a girlfriend.
（ウィンリィ） あんたたちの師匠って…
(Winry) Your teacher...
（バリー･ザ･チョッパー） うん？ よう タバコのあんちゃん
(Barry the Chopper) Hmm? Hey, cigarette guy,
どうだ １回でも勝てたか？
how many times have you won?
（バリー） 全然 つうか このゲーム つまんねえよ
(Barry) Not at all, I mean, this game is boring.
なあ夜中なら 人を斬ってきていいだろ？
Hey, if it's the middle of the night, can I go out and chop someone?
（ハボック） いいわけねえだろう
(Havoc) No way, of course
👉👉じゃあ せめて…
then at least...
ホークアイの あねさん連れてきてくれよ
bring along sister Hawkeye, okay?
ああ あねさんに言っといてやる
Ah, I'll ask her
（ヴァトー･ファルマン） 私はいつまで こいつの見張りを 続けなき ゃなんないんですかね？
(Vautour Farmann) How long do I have to keep watching this guy?
大佐はなんと？
What did the Colonel say?
（ハインケル） お前よお もうち ょっとおやっさんと
(Heinkel) Hey, you should, with your old man, have a proper
膝を交えて話したほうが いいんじゃねえか ？
heart to heart talk. Won't it be good?
👉👉（ダリウス） そうそう せめて親父って 呼んでやれよ
(Darius) Yeah, at the very least, call him "Dad".
過去にいろいろあったようだが
Seems like there's a lot of history between you two,
ありゃあ かみさんを 捨てるような男じゃ ないな
but he's not the kind of man who would abandon his wife.
うん きっといろいろあんだよ
Yeah, there must be a lot of reasons.
なっ ちゃんと話を聞いてやれよ
Listen, you should really hear him out.
だあ もう うっせえな！
Damn, enough already!
オレだっていろいろあんだよ！
I also went through a lot, you know!
いろいろってなんだ？
What do you mean by "a lot"?
どうせ つまらん意地だろ
It's probably just some petty pride.
（リザ） 私の背中を… 焼いて潰して ください
(Riza) Please... burn and destroy my back.
ハッ！ そんなことできるわけ…
Ha! There's no way I could do such a thing...
👉👉（リザ）せめて！ （マスタング）ハッ…
(Riza) At least! (Mustang) Ha...
👉👉償えないのならせめて
If I can't atone, at least...
新たな焰の錬金術師を 生み出さぬように
To ensure that no new Flame Alchemist is created,
この背中の秘伝を破壊したいのです
I want to destroy the secrets carried on this back.